Chapter 18 First Place
I seemed to see Mason!
I quickly turned my gaze back and searched below the stage.
But I didn’t see him.
It seemed that it was just my illusion caused by guilt.
Well, Mason was currently in Atlanta, so how could he possibly appear here? While I was lost in thought, the music began to play.
I had been studying dance for twenty years.
As soon as the music played, I quickly began to dance.
The dance I performed was a typical modern dance, but considering that the audience below enjoyed watching hip–swaying, I added some hip–swaying movements to the dance. The applause was thunderous.
I suddenly remembered my dad’s debt of 1.05 million dollars and my mom’s tearful look.
I poured more and more energy into my dance, every movement more passionate, all in the hopes of getting the highest number of votes later.
A few minutes later, the music stopped and the dance came to an The applause and cheers under the stage rolled on ceaselessly.
bowed to the audience and then returned to the backstage.
end.
When I returned backstage, I noticed that the other candidates were looking at me differently. Initially, the looks they gave me were replete with disdain, contempt, and a tinge of jealousy. They assumed I had taken an easy way out by relying on Gabriel.
At that very moment, a glimmer of surprise and admiration flickered in their eyes as they looked at me. Perhaps they had never expected that I was actually capable of dancing st well.
Soon, Gabriel walked in with big strides, his face filled with excitement as he exclaimed me, “Oh, my dear Arianna, you danced so well. I never expected that you could dance so well.
me,“Oh,
I smiled humbly at him.
He came closer to me again, with a wicked smile on his face, and said mockingly, “You, with such good skills, why would you even bother to participate in such a worthless gala?”
“All you have to do is put on this costume and dance in front of Mason.500 thousand dollars is nothing to him. He’ll be more than willing to pay 5 million dollars for that.” I looked at him speechlessly.
Gabriel’s words were really exaggerated.
After resting in the backstage for about ten minutes, the voting session began.
Each candidate’s profile picture, along with their number, was displayed on the large electronic
screen.
was the 36th.
14.3%
hapter 8 First Place
Menu
When the host announced the start of the voting.
The numbers below each candidate were changing.
Each audience in attendance was able to cast only one vote. The candidate who garnered the highest number of votes would be crowned the champion of the Dance Gala and be rewarded with a reward of 500 thousand dollars.
I stared at the electronic screen tightly.
Currently, both candidate No.27, Denise Campbell, and I had the highest number of votes, and we were much of a muchness.
It was possible that I would be the first, or she would.
The number of votes on the screen kept changing, and my heart raced faster along with it.
mere few minutes passed, yet it was as if an entire century had elapsed. Finally, the voting came to an end, and the votes for all the candidates were locked in. My heart was pounding so hard that it felt as if it was about to leap out of my throat.
The final result was that I and Denise had an equal number of votes, resulting in a tie for the first place.
The host exclaimed in surprise, “Oh my, there are actually two candidates tied for first place. This is truly rare.
“Now, please welcome candidates No.27 and No.36 to the stage.”
As soon as the host finished speaking, a seductive woman walked towards the stage.
remembered her. Out of all those present, she was the most beautiful and had the most appealing figure.
She wore a sexy black gauze dress, mysterious and enchanting.
I remember her dance was somewhat mediocre, but she definitely gave a visual pleasure to
everyone.
Seeing me in a daze, Gabriel hurriedly urged me to go up on stage.
I anxiously asked him, “Two champions, so what about that bonus…”
“What?” Gabriel chuckled, “My dear Arianna, are you really short of money?”
Nonsense, if I didn’t need money, how could I come to dance at such a gala? I grumbled in my heart and anxiously asked him, “Does this mean I have to share this bonus with
her?”
Gabriel chuckled and said, “You underestimate us. Being tied for first place, naturally, both of you will be rewarded with 500 thousand dollars each, no sharing.”
Upon hearing him say this, I immediately felt relieved.
“Stepping onto the stage, I saw Denise interacting with the audience below. Her enchanting smile, paired with her sweet and coquettish voice, was highly adored by the audience below the stage.
stood awkwardly on the side, eagerly awaiting the host to present the award as quickly as possible.
Chapter 18 First Place
Fortunately, the host came over soon.
The host stood between me and Denise and said with a smile, “Now I announce that these two candidates are tied for first place, and they will each receive…”
“Wait!”
Just at that moment, a deep and resonant voice suddenly resounded from the audience below,
My heart also trembled fiercely.
Because that was the voice of Mason.
I mechanically looked down towards the stage.
A tall figure emerged slowly from the shadows in the back row.
Mason’s gaze was cold, and a faint aura of hostility seemed to seep from his body. 寄
stared at him blankly, a chill slowly creeping up my spine.
I unconsciously clenched my hands.
Wasn’t he on a business trip in Atlanta? Why was he here?
Didn’t he say he wasn’t interested in such an activity? Why did he still come?
My mind was filled with doubts, and in the end, all those doubts turned into a touch of fear.
Mason now held a noble position in the business world, and an overwhelming sense of pressure radiated from his body.
As soon as he spoke, everyone fell silent instantly.
The host was dumbfounded and quickly smiled flatteringly, “Oh, it’s Mr. Wright. Why didn’t you inform us in advance before you came, Mr. Wright? I could have arranged the best seat for you.” Mason did not speak, his icy eyes fixed on me.
I unconsciously took two steps back, my palms sweating in panic.
At this moment, Gabriel suddenly emerged from the backstage.
He smiled at Mason and said, “What’s up? We’re in the award ceremony. What do you want? Let’s talk after the awards are presented, okay?”
“Award?” Mason chuckled lightly, “The first place hasn’t been determined yet, why award now?” As soon as he said that, I became nervous.
Gabriel was puzzled and asked, “The first place hasn’t been determined? What does that mean? Aren’t they tied for first place?”
A cold smile spread across Mason’s face as he looked at me.
He said softly, “I had not voted yet.”
His words made the scene instantly lively.
The host quickly replied, “Oh, it appears that you haven’t cast your vote yet, Mr. Wright. This is truly ideal. If you were to cast this decisive vote for either Denise or candidate No.36, the winner of the first place would be decided, wouldn’t it?”
I stared at Mason rigidly.
Would he vote for Denise?
Chapter 18 First Place
What should I do if he really voted for Denise?
In two days, creditors from the casino would come to my dad to collect the deb There was still no news from Grayson.
If I couldn’t get 500 thousand dollars, what would my dad do? What would happen to our family? My mind instantly became a mess.
‘At this moment, I was feeling a bit resentful towards Mason.
I was already tied for first place with Denise and could have won 500 thousand dollars. Why did he suddenly appear?
When I was feeling upset and confused, Gabriel suddenly drew near. With a mischievous gline in his eyes, he looked at me and said, “Oh, I never anticipated Mason would suddenly come over. Do you think he’ll cast this pivotal vote in your favor?”
I tightly clenched my hands and remained silent.
Denise had already started flirting
flirting and acting coquettish towards Mason. She greeted Mason with a charming smile and said, “Oh my, Mr. Wright, I have heard so much about you. You appear more handsome than on television.”
Gabriel quickly nudged me and whispered, “Why don’t you flirt with Mason or compliment him? If not, he might end up casting his vote for Contestant Denise, and then you’ll regret it.”